BLACKBURN Rovers hotshot Matt Derbyshire was joined by 50 invited guests at a VIP evening to launch the Shere Khan Restaurant, Blackburn.

The restaurant, at the corner of Barbara Castle Way and Eanam on the site of the old Audi showroom, has been refurbished at a cost of over £1.4 million.

As well as being able to cater for 240 customers, it has a private dining section, a juice bar, a prayer room and children's play area.

Co-owner Shoaib Patel said: "Shere Khan is renowned the world over for its high quality and standards. And we wanted to make this flagship restaurant as impressive as the others."

"As well as the inter-nationally renowned Shere Khan menu we have a number of new exclusive dishes on offer. We are keenly aware that customers will be expecting the very best and we intend to deliver."

Servicing up to 240 guests means the Shere Khan will have to employ over 40 full-time and part-time staff.

The restaurant also houses a banqueting suite on the first floor which can hold up to 400 people for weddings, conferences and exhibitions.

The restaurant opens to the public at noon next Tuesday.